Poggibonsi is atown in theprovince of Siena,Tuscany,Central Italy. It is located on the RiverElsa and is the main centre of theValdelsa Valley.

Poggibonsi
Comune
Comune di Poggibonsi
Coat of arms
Location of Poggibonsi
Poggibonsi Location of Poggibonsi in Italy Show map of Italy Poggibonsi Poggibonsi (Tuscany) Show map of Tuscany
Coordinates:43°28′N11°09′E / 43.467°N 11.150°E /43.467; 11.150
Country	Italy
Region	Tuscany
Province	Siena (SI)
Frazioni	Bellavista,Staggia Senese
Government
• Mayor	Susanna Cenni
Area [1]
• Total	70.59 km2 (27.25 sq mi)
Elevation	116 m (381 ft)
Population  (31 October 2021)[2]
• Total	28,672
• Density	410/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Demonym	Poggibonsesi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	53036
Dialing code	0577
Patron saint	St. Luchesius
Saint day	April 28
Website	www.comune.poggibonsi.si.it

The area around Poggibonsi was already settled in theNeolithic age, although the first traces of civilisation dates fromEtruscan-Roman age, attested by a series ofnecropolises and by placenames such as "Talciona" or "Marturi" (from the Etruscan name ofMars).

The importance of the area dates from the 10th century, thanks to its position across theVia Francigena, the main road fromRome toFrance. At that time, the development of Borgo di Marte (laterMarturi,Borgo Vecchio and then Poggibonsi) was started, a settlement whose origins are debated. Around 1010, Borgo di Camaldo appeared. In 1155 or 1156, the inhabitants of these and other nearby towns were moved by Guido Guerra, of theGuidi Counts, to a hill where a new settlement, Poggiobonizio, was established. In the 12th century, theCathars had a major theological school in Poggibonsi. Declared an Imperial City by emperorFrederick II, according toGiovanni Villani it was one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Poggiobonizio, which adhered to theGhibellines, was destroyed by theFlorentineGuelphs in 1270. After 1293, Poggibonsi remained under Florentine rule. EmperorHenry VII ordered reconstruction in 1313 as Monte Imperiale, but the work did not survive him. In 1484,Lorenzo de' Medici had a new settlement built in Poggiobonizio according to the Renaissance idea of the "Ideal City", protected by a fortress designed byAntonio andGiuliano da Sangallo. Work, however, was halted in 1510.

After a short period under theFrench in the early 19th century, it became part of aunited Italy in 1861. In the 20th century, the economy was based on the trade inChianti wine and active industrialisation. Poggibonsi is the smallest of the Chianti Classico sub-regions.

• The Palazzo Pretorio (late 13th century): with the annexed Torre del Podestà was the seat of the local government until the construction of the Palazzo Comunale in the 19th century. The lower floor, with theloggia, istravertine, while the upper section is brick and travertine. Since 1997, it has housed a palaeontological museum.
• The Church of San Lorenzo: built by theAugustinian order inGothic-Romanesque style. In 1495, it was the seat of the meeting betweenCharles VIII of France andGirolamo Savonarola. The interior houses a painting byNeri di Bicci ofSt. Nicholas, a 14th-century wooden crucifix by Giovanni d'Agostino and a painting of theMadonna delle Grazie.
• Santuario del Romituzzo: 15th-century oratory-sanctuary with campanile and portico housing a venerated image of theMadonna della Neve (Madonna of the Snows). The second story is rich with ex voto offerings.

In the neighbourhood are:

• Basilica of San Lucchese: large Gothic church, built around 1252 over a pre-existing church of San Camaldo, traces of which can be seen in the façade and left wall. It is located on a hill near the city. The chapelapse was built in the 14th century, while the portico is 17th century. The interior houses aterracotta statue of theImmaculate Conception byGiovanni della Robbia,frescoes byBartolo di Fredi,Taddeo Gaddi,Cennino Cennini and Arturo Agliardi. The remains of San Lucchese, patron saint of Poggibonsi, are in the eponymous chapel. The adjoining convent's refectory has a fresco byGerino da Pistoia.
• TheFonte delle Fate ("Fairies' Spring"): one of the few remains of the destroyed Poggiobonizio, from the early 13th century. It was discovered in 1803.
• Castello della Magione: once home of theKnights Templars, and then given to theKnights Hospitallers after the Templars were abolished in 1312, is on theVia Francigena. The small church has a single nave ending with a noteworthy apse. The complex is currently the headquarters of theMilitia Templi.
• In thefrazione of Staggia Senese: castle (Rocca), probably dating fromLombard times, which belonged to the Florentine family of the Franzesi from the 13th century. A museum (known as the littlest in the world) in the village houses an important work byAntonio del Pollaiuolo, theSanta Maria Egiziaca, as well as other panels from the 14th and 15th centuries.
• Castello di Strozzavolpe ("Castle of the Fox-Strangler"): ancient fortress of the Guidi family. According to legend, it was connected to Poggibonizio by a tunnel.
• San Martino a Luco:Romanesque Pieve church.
• The Church of Sant'Andrea a Palapiano: one of the most notable Romanesque edifices in the area. Although known from before the 11th century, the current building dates from the 13th century.
• Santa Maria a Talciona: 12th-13th century church with bas-relief (1234) in portal portraying theAdoration of the Magi.
• San Lorenzo in Piandecampi: small Romanesque church houses a 15th-century fresco byPier Francesco Fiorentino.
• The Magione di Torri: castle of the Hospitallers built in the early 11th century.
• Pieve of San Pietro a Cedda: Romanesque Pieve church located kilometres from Poggibonsi's centre. It is an abbey-like building with a noteworthy apse and a large bell tower. The complex decoration of the portals and windows is also significant. The interior has a tabernacle attributed toMino da Fiesole. It once housed also a 14th-century triptych of the Florentine School, now in the town museum ofColle.

The municipality is formed by the city of Poggibonsi and the towns and villages (frazioni) ofBellavista andStaggia Senese. Other notable villages include Case Bolzano, Castiglioni, Cedda, Cinciano, Gavignano,Lecchi di Staggia, Luco, Montemorli, Papaiano, Piandicampi, Sant'Antonio del Bosco andTalciona.

Poggibonsi istwinned with:

•  Corleto Perticara, Italy
•  Werne, Germany
•  Marcq-en-Barœul, France

"Poggibonsi" is also the title of a song written byFranco Battiato, and sung byMilva in her 1982 albumMilva e dintorni.

'Bonipoggio', a take-off of Poggibonsi, is the title of a cardinal played by Roger Ashton-Griffiths, in the BBC TV series 'Father Brown' S4 Ep5 'The Daughter of Autolychus'.

The localfootball team isUS Poggibonsi.

• Niccolò da Poggibonsi, monk
• Alberto Bettiol, professional cyclist
• Tobia Masini, racing driver

• Heer, Friedrich.The Mediaeval World Europe 1100-1350.